The proposed income tax increase in Shaker Heights seems to be dividing voters. Yard signs throughout the city are both for and against the increase, called Issue One.
It’s a .5 percent increase and if it fails, Mayor Earl Leiken said that means cuts to the police and fire department as well as cuts to community life employees.
“The reductions would start in January as far as police, public works and firefighters are concerned,” said Leiken.
He said the the state cut $900,000 from the budget and in January, the Estate tax will be eliminated. Those combined, according to Leiken, add up to a $6 million cut in the city’s budget.
“It has been a long time since we had a levy to increase taxes and I think we need to do it if we want Shaker Heights to have the service that we all love,” said resident Jacqueline Hutcheson.
Mayor Leiken said the last city tax increase was 31 years ago.
Polls open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7:30 p.m.
article courtesy of Newsnet5.com
